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ERROR: permission denied for relation table

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PostgreSQL permission denied for relation

ERROR: permission denied for relation table

🚨 PostgreSQL Permission Denied for Relation – Error Explained

When running queries in PostgreSQL, you may encounter the error:

ERROR: permission denied for relation table
Why Does This Error Happen?

The error occurs because:

  • The user has not been granted SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE permissions.

  • The table belongs to a different schema or owner.

  • The role does not have privileges inherited from a group role.

  • Application is using the wrong database user.

6 Simple Fixes for PostgreSQL Permission Denied for Relation Error
1. Grant SELECT privilege
GRANT SELECT ON table_name TO username;
2. Grant INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE privileges
GRANT INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE ON table_name TO username;
3. Grant all privileges on the table
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON table_name TO username;
4. Change the table owner (if needed)
ALTER TABLE table_name OWNER TO username;
5. Check schema permissions
GRANT USAGE ON SCHEMA schema_name TO username;
6. Use role inheritance for easier management

If multiple users need the same access, create a group role:

CREATE ROLE app_users;
GRANT SELECT, INSERT ON table_name TO app_users;
GRANT app_users TO username;
Best Practices for DBAs
  • Follow the principle of least privilege – grant only required access.

  • Use roles and groups for scalable permission management.

  • Regularly audit table permissions with:

    \z table_name
    
  • Document all privilege changes for security compliance.

Conclusion

 At Learnomate Technologies, we’re here to support you every step of the way with top-notch training in PostgreSQL DBA and more.

For more detailed insights and tutorials, do check out our YouTube channelwww.youtube.com/@learnomate, where we regularly share practical tips and deep dives into essential database topics. And if you’re serious about mastering PostgreSQL DBA, head over to our website for our full training program: learnomate.org/training/postgresql-training/.

I’d love to connect with you, so don’t forget to follow my LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ankushthavali/. If you’re eager to read more about various technologies, explore our blog page here: https://learnomate.org/blogs/. Happy learning, and remember—tuning and training go hand-in-hand for database success!